A Delta spokeswoman noted the carrier has not canceled its order. However, in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Delta said it had dropped the aircraft from its 10-K report on new orders. "We have excluded from (the report) our order for 18 B-787-8 aircraft," Delta said, because Boeing has said "it will be unable to meet the contractual delivery schedule for these aircraft." Delta said it is "in discussions with Boeing regarding this situation."

In January, Boeing said the backlog at Boeing Commercial Airplanes is $279 billion. The company intends to reduce its workforce this year by 6% or 10,000 positions.